'It's a personal decision. I don't need to explain it to anyone': Barry Gray takes Newry City AFC top job
The 43-year-old makes the move from South Down rivals Warrenpoint Town
New Newry City AFC Manager Barry Gray says he had no issue about crossing the South Down divide after departing his role at Warrenpoint Town.
The 43-year-old spent over a decade in charge of the Milltown club across two spells, punctuated by an 18-month tenure a Cliftonville.
Newry-born Gray returns to The Showgrounds, having been Reserve team Manager in the early 2000s, before going on to have huge success in bringing Warrenpoint form the Mid-Ulster Leagues right up to the Premiership.
"This is a personal decision for me and my family. I don't need to explain to anybody here or at Warrenpoint why those decisions have been made. The people closest and dearest to me already know those reasons," said Gray, speaking exclusively to Cool News and Sport.
"Players have gone back and forth (between the two clubs) numerous times, but this is the firs time a Manager has done it. But nobody owns anybody in football and it's very much the case of what suits the clubs and individuals.
"I've done a lot of good work and committed a lot of time and resource to Warrenpoint and sometimes everybody needs a fresh challenge and fresh horizon. That's what it is for me. Warrenpoint will do very well without me, no doubt, and we're hoping that Newry City will do better when I'm here."
His new club currently languish at the bottom of the Sports Direct Premiership table, six points behind Ballymena United.
While Gray's first game in charge will be Saturday's home Irish Cup Fifth Round tie against Championship side Ballinamallard United, he's says top-flight survival is the biggest priority for the club - and by some distance
"Unfortunately, I probably have too much experience battling at this end of the table and it's very difficult. But t's very pleasing to see the squad of players we have to work with over the next couple of months," he feels.
"Hopefully that experience in the past can put us in a strong position to see if we can fight our way put of it. We've got to very quickly, get into a scenario where we can narrow the gap, then move off the bottom of the table and keep things in our own hands."
Club Chairman, Martin McLoughlin added: "Barry comes to us at a time when we need someone to lead us out of the difficult spell we have been going through and someone who can restore the confidence that has been lacking of late within our squad.
"With almost 20 years coaching experience at the highest level with spells at Cliftonville and our neighbours Warrenpoint Town, he has earned much respect and built up a network of very valuable contacts. Barry is a Newry man by birth and we feel that he is exactly what we need to help us retain our Premiership status.
"I would like to thank Gary Boyle for his efforts and commitment throughout his seven years at the club and in particular over the past seven months.
"We are under no illusions about the task ahead and the dedication and efforts needed, but having spoken to Barry at length, we believe he has the passion and the drive to give us a fighting chance."